Module Feedback Questionnaires
Module feedback questionnaires provide students with an opportunity to share their views on their learning experience and help shape future enhancements to teaching and the student experience.
End of Module Questionnaires are made available towards the end of a module, allowing students to reflect on their learning experience and provide feedback on what worked well and where improvements could be made.
Feedback is reviewed by staff in Schools and Departments, including Module Coordinators, Directors of Teaching, and Directors of Postgraduate Studies (Taught). It may also be accessed by the Proctor's Office and the Education and Student Experience team.
Module Coordinators carefully consider all constructive feedback, share a summary of key themes with students, and explain any actions being taken where appropriate.
Tasks relating to module feedback questionnaires, including viewing reports, can be accessed on the Blue dashboard. The dashboard can also be accessed via Moodle.
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Standard modules
The following evaluation dates apply to standard modules.
Semester 1
Directors of Teaching / Directors of Postgraduate Studies (Taught)
adding questions to questionnaires- Open: Monday 26 October 2026
- Close: Friday 13 November 2026
Students
completing questionnaires- Open: Monday 16 November 2026
- Close: Friday 4 December 2026
Module Coordinators
closing the feedback loop- Open: Monday 7 December 2026
- Close: Friday, 22 January 2027
Semester 2
Directors of Teaching / Directors of Postgraduate Studies (Taught)
adding questions to questionnaires- Open: Monday 22 March 2027
- Close: Friday 9 April 2027
Students
completing questionnaires- Open: Monday 12 April 2027
- Close: Friday 30 April 2027
Module Coordinators
closing the feedback loop- Open: Monday 3 May 2027
- Close: Friday 18 June 2027
Summer (PGT dissertations)
Directors of Teaching / Directors of Postgraduate Studies (Taught)
adding questions to questionnaires- Open: Monday 28 June 2027
- Close: Friday 16 July 2027
Students
completing questionnaires- Open: Monday 19 July 2027
- Close: Friday 6 August 2027
Module Coordinators
closing the feedback loop- Open: Monday 9 August 2027
- Close: Friday, 24 September 2027
Non-standard credit-bearing modules
Non-standard credit-bearing modules are defined as modules that run outwith standard module teaching weeks. These modules are evaluated using the same question set and evaluation process as standard modules. However, key evaluation activities are scheduled relative to the module end date, and therefore vary between modules.
- Question Personalisation: opens five weeks before the module end date for three weeks
- Questionnaires: opens two weeks before the module end date for three weeks
- Closing the Feedback Loop task: opens one week after the module end date for seven weeks
- Reports containing student feedback: available when questionnaires close
- Reports containing Module Coordinator responses available to students when the Closing the Feedback Loop closes
Relevant staff will receive automatic notifications and reminder emails when tasks become available.
Note: If students do not receive a response through the ‘closing the feedback loop’ process, they are advised to follow this up with their Module Coordinator.
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Tasks in Blue are driven by staff roles in MMS. Ownership of tasks and access are as follows:
Question personalisation (QP)
Add additional questions to questionnaires
Access: Directors of Teaching and Directors of Postgraduate Studies (Taught)Questionnaire Fillout (FO)
Complete surveys
Access: StudentsSubject management (SM)
View response rates for module(s), see invitees for each module, and access a QR code linking to the questionnaire
Access: Module Coordinators, Lecturers and TutorsResponse rate monitoring (RRM)
View aggregate data at module, School, Department, and University levels, based on assigned access in MMS. Response rates are available when questionnaires open until they close.
Access: Module Coordinators, Lecturers and Tutors, Directors of Teaching, Directors of Postgraduate Studies (Taught), Members of the Proctor's Office.Note: Email reminders are not sent for this task. Staff with access can view this information on their Blue dashboard.
Closing the feedback loop
Provide a module-specific response to students via Blue
Access: Module CoordinatorsReports (RV)
View reports generated for a module, School, Department, or University. Access is as follows:
- Module level quantitative reports: Lecturers and Tutors
- Module level quantitative and qualitative reports: Module Coordinators, Directors of Teaching, Directors of Postgraduate Studies (Taught), Members of the Proctor's Office
- School and Departmental level quantitative reports: Directors of Teaching, Directors of Postgraduate Studies (Taught), Members of the Proctor's Office
- University level quantitative reports: Members of the Proctor's Office
Requests for redaction: Module Coordinators who have concerns about comments contained within qualitative reports should discuss these with their Director of Teaching or Director of Postgraduate Taught in the first instance. Where appropriate, the Director of Teaching or Director of Postgraduate Taught may submit a request for redaction to mfqsupport@st-andrews.ac.uk, including the module code, question, details of the comment, and the reason for the request. -
Module Feedback Questionnaires have been designed in consultation with staff and students. Links to the core and optional questions are available below. It is not possible to amend or delete any of the core questions. These questions are required by the University to be able to compare data across Schools.
Schools and Departments can select up to four additional questions from the list of questions in Blue. Questions can be applied to all modules across the School, Department, group of modules or individual modules.
End of module questions
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Please refer to the user guides for tasks related to module feedback questionnaires, organised by user role.
Some content in these guides may not meet accessibility standards. If you require the information in an alternative format, please contact mfqsupport@st-andrews.ac.uk.
Directors of Teaching and Directors of Postgraduate Studies (Taught)
- Adding additional end of module questions (Word) or watch the video guide
- Institutional-level response rate monitoring (Word)
- MFQ reports (Word) or watch the video guide to view:
- Quantitative and qualitative reports at module level
- Quantitative reports at School and Department levels
- Responses to student feedback provided my Module Coordinators
Module Coordinators
- Response rates at modular level (Word)
- Closing the feedback loop (Word) or watch the video guide
- MFQ reports (Word) or watch the video guide to view quantitative and qualitative reports at module level.
Lecturers and Tutors
- MFQ reports (Word) or watch the video guide to view quantitative reports at module level.
Members of the Proctor's Office
- Institutional-level response rate monitoring (Word)
- MFQ reports (Word) or watch the video guide to view:
- Quantitative and qualitative reports at module level
- Quantitative reports at School and Department levels
- Institutional reports
- Responses to student feedback provided by Module Coordinators.
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What is MLY
MLY is an AI-driven text analytics tool within Explorance Blue that helps streamline the analysis of student feedback. It automatically groups free-text comments into key themes and sub-themes, identifies sentiment, and highlights opportunities for improvement.
MLY is intended to support the review of qualitative student feedback by helping users identify recurring themes, areas of strength, and opportunities for enhancement.
Key features include:
- Topics and sub-topics: comments are automatically grouped into common themes, making it easier to identify trends within student feedback.
- Sentiment analysis: comments are categorised across five levels of sentiment to help identify positive and negative themes.
- Redaction and alerts: inappropriate language is automatically redacted and displayed as [redacted]. Comments containing inappropriate language are also flagged and displayed under Alerts.
Requests for redaction: Directors of Teaching or Directors of Postgraduate Taught may submit a request for redaction to mfqsupport@st-andrews.ac.uk. Requests should include the module code, question, details of the comment, and the reason for the redaction request.
MLY uses automated text analysis to identify topics and sentiment within comments. These classifications should be used as indicators to support interpretation rather than definitive judgements. Users are encouraged to review the underlying comments alongside the dashboard outputs.
This guide introduces the key functions of the MLY dashboard and explains how to use them to explore and analyse student feedback. To gain a fuller understanding of its functionality, users are encouraged to explore the dashboard directly. More detailed guidance is available on the Explorance website.
Please note: some of the content in the accompanying Word guidance may not meet accessibility standards. If you require the information in an alternative format, please contact mfqsupport@st-andrews.ac.uk.
Getting started with MLY
Use the links below to access the MLY dashboard and supporting guidance.- MLY Dashboard
- MLY user guide (Word)
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Student feedback from module feedback questionnaires is important for improving and enhancing the learning and teaching experience at St Andrews.
Listed below are some good practice tips that some Schools have used to improve their MFQ response rates:
- Setting some time aside during a lecture/tutorial to complete the questionnaire (often midway through the lecture/tutorial)
- Polite reminders to students in class and by email, indicating that you want as much feedback as possible to improve delivery of the module
- Give students some examples of improvements that have been made as a result of previous student feedback
- Showing appreciation to students for taking the time to complete MFQs and assuring them that their feedback is important and is acted upon
- Informing students of the response rates received to date and encourage those who haven't responded to do so
- Remind students that responses are anonymous
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Is student feedback anonymous?
In general, the analysis of data from Module Feedback Questionnaires is done on an anonymous basis. Whilst the system matches individual responses to limited student record data, the analytical reports within the system are produced and viewed using aggregated data, with no personal information displayed. These reports include analysis on protected characteristics, such as gender, disability (where that has been declared), or ethnicity, to understand if there is equality of opportunity and/or treatment. These reports of aggregated data will be available to Schools and senior academic roles on a need-to-know basis.
Students should be aware that reports are produced at a module level. While every effort will be made to protect your anonymity, please be aware that in a small class setting your responses may inadvertently reveal your identity, therefore care should be taken when responding to protect your identity.
Additional analysis may be done by the University’s Planning Unit which will involve connecting responses from the Module Feedback Questionnaires to student data from other systems. By necessity this will need the data not to be anonymised. This is strictly for the limited purpose of gaining greater understanding of the responses to Module Feedback Questionnaires, at a statistical level. Reports based on this data will made available only at an aggregated level. This is not an unusual process and is entirely lawful.
In exceptions, where staff or student safety has been identified as being at risk, and with authorisation from the Vice-Principal Education (Proctor) or their delegate, the administrators of the Module Feedback Questionnaire system are able to unmask the anonymity of free text comments to protect staff or student welfare.
Please note that Module Feedback Questionnaires are not intended to capture instances of bullying, harassment, discrimination, or violence, even if they occur during formal teaching. We have a zero-tolerance approach to any such behaviour, which is contrary to the values and ideals of our shared community, and should these behaviours arise the University urges members of our community to use our Report and Support tool.
Please also note that an AI tool (MLY) will be used to support the processing of qualitative feedback, providing sentiment analysis, categorisation, and recommendations, the outputs of which will be provided to academic staff to assist with responding to student feedback. MLY won’t make automatic decisions and Schools will have a chance to review the outputs. Student feedback processed through MLY will not be used to train or improve its machine learning models.
The University has completed a Data Protection Impact Assessment for Module Feedback Questionnaires; this is available on request and will be kept under review.
Module feedback is important for the University and our students. To protect the integrity of this, we work hard to provide and protect privacy and confidentiality in responses, and data are only linked to respondents where necessary, and then for the specific purposes outlined.
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Any matters and information relating to module feedback questionnaires is usually communicated via School contacts. Schools are responsible for ensuring these contact details are up to date. Any updates to the contact list should be emailed to mfqsupport@st-andrews.ac.uk.
Art History
- Jo Fitchet: jb74@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Lynn Ayton: lcw10@st-andrews.ac.uk
Biology
- Sarah Maynard-Morris: slh28@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Biology Teaching Office: bioteach@st-andrews.ac.uk
Business School
- Economics
Undergraduate admin: econadmin@st-andrews.ac.uk
Postgraduate admin: bschoolpgt@st-andrews.ac.uk - Management
Undergraduate admin: manug@st-andrews.ac.uk
Management manager: bschoolopsmgr@st-andrews.ac.uk
Postgraduate admin: bschoolpgt@st-andrews.ac.uk
Chemistry
- Liz Harris: ek6@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Iona Hutchison: ilh@st-andrews.ac.uk
Classics
- Undergraduate admin: classug@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Postgraduate admin: classpgt@st-andrews.ac.uk
Computer Science
- Alex Bain: alb@st-andrews.ac.uk
- General office: admin-cs@st-andrews.ac.uk
Divinity
- Elizabeth O'Keeffe: ero4@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Kate Dove: kad20@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Natalie Mackie: nm222@st-andrews.ac.uk
Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Lesley-Anne Harrison: ees-teaching@st-andrews.ac.uk
- General office: earthsci@st-andrews.ac.uk
English
- Postgraduate admin: pgeng@st-andrews.ac.uk
- General office: english@st-andrews.ac.uk
Geography and Sustainable Development
- Natalie Connell: nsb@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Marie MacRae: mcm22@st-andrews.ac.uk
Graduate School
- Claire Brodie: clb26@st-andrews.ac.uk
- General office: gradschool@st-andrews.ac.uk
History
- General office: history@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Postgraduate admin: pghist@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Modern History: modhist@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Medieval history: medhist@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Dorothy Christie: dc71@st-andrews.ac.uk
International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute
- Steven Bartholomew: smb12@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Heather McKiggan-Fee: hcm@st-andrews.ac.uk
- General office: ielli@st-andrews.ac.uk
International Relations
- Gillian Fleming: gaf3@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Gail Reid: gr20@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Sterling Yates: Sterling.yates@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Lynne MacMillan (S2): ld26@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Second year admin: ir2nd_sh@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Senior Teaching admin: irseniorteaching@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Postgraduate admin: irpg@st-andrews.ac.uk
- CSTPV: tsadmin@st-andrews.ac.uk
Mathematics and Statistics
- Niki Stalker: njs1@st-andrews.ac.uk
- General office: maths@st-andrews.ac.uk
Medicine
- Linda Kirkcaldy: lk1@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Dawn Winpenny: dw211@st-andrews.ac.uk
Modern Languages
- Brett Dodgson: bsd3@st-andrews.ac.uk
- General office: modlangs@st-andrews.ac.uk
Music
- Michael Ferguson: camusic@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Diane Lyons: del1@st-andrews.ac.uk
Philosophical, Anthropological and Film Studies
- Undergraduate email: ugpafsadmin@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Postgraduate email: pgpafs@st-andrews.ac.uk
Physics and Astronomy
- Linda Cousins: ljc21@st-andrews.ac.uk
- General office: physics@st-andrews.ac.uk
Psychology and Neuroscience
- Katrina Cruickshank: kac22@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Helen Sunderland: hes1@st-andrews.ac.uk
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The following documents provide support and further information on MFQs:
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This section provides answers to the most common questions we've been asked. If your query is not addressed here, please contact mfqsupport@st-andrews.ac.uk for assistance.
1. Why have (or haven't) I received an email to complete a module feedback questionnaire task in Blue?
Tasks in Blue are determined by staff roles in MMS. Details of ownership and access to tasks are provided in the Roles and responsibilities section on this page.
2. Why isn't my module visible in Blue?
A module may not appear in Blue for several reasons. Please check the following:
- The module has been marked for evaluation in MMS.
- Students are enrolled on the module.
- A staff member is assigned to the Module Coordinator role in MMS.
If all of the above conditions are met and there is still an issue, please contact us. Please note that any changes made in MMS will be reflected in Blue overnight after the system refresh.
3. Should a module with only one student be included in the evaluation?
Yes. Students should have the option to participate in the feedback if they wish. The Module Coordinator should inform the student that they are the only participant in the module and allow the student to decide whether they want to complete the questionnaire.
4. Why is my name showing incorrectly in Blue and in notifications I have received?
Personal details, including names, are taken from the student and staff record systems. If your name is incorrect, please follow these steps:
- Students: Guidance on updating your details is available on the Change your name or title at University webpage. If you have already done this, contact studentrecordsadmin@st-andrews.ac.uk.
- Staff: Guidance on updating your details is available on the HR self service webpage.
5. Should I complete the closing the feedback loop task when students didn't respond to the survey?
Yes, for modules with no student feedback, module coordinators should issue the following response to students in the usual way via Blue:We noticed that we didn't receive any feedback questionnaire responses for [Module Name/Code] this semester.
We genuinely value student feedback as it helps us improve the quality of our teaching and the overall student experience. Your perspective on what worked well and what could be enhanced is important to us.
While the questionnaire has now closed, for future modules, we'd really encourage you to take a few minutes to complete the feedback questionnaire when it's available. Your input makes a real difference.
Thank you for your time.